Heinold bill requires Central time for all

November 30, 2005|MARTIN DeAGOSTINO Tribune Staff Writer

INDIANAPOLIS -- State Sen. Victor Heinold, R-Kouts, has filed legislation directing Gov. Mitch Daniels to petition the federal government to move all of Indiana to Central time. Heinold said the bill responds to his constituents' clear preference for Central time, as expressed at recent public hearings on time zones in Logansport and South Bend. "The message was pretty clear, at least in the 5th Senate district, that people want to be on one time -- Central time," Heinold said. Heinold acknowledged that Eastern or Central Indiana residents might feel differently or at least hold mixed opinions. But he said legislative debate will help clarify statewide public opinion. "That's what the bill's about," he said. Earlier this year, Heinold opposed legislation putting the entire state on daylight-saving time next year. That bill, which Daniels pushed into law, initiated a federal hearing process on time zones that Heinold said could divide whole regions and aggravate existing confusion about clock settings around the state. "How much simpler could it be if everyone in the world, everyone in the United States, knew what time that state of Indiana is on?" he asked. He said some counties that are tied to Eastern time -- chiefly those near Louisville, Ky., and Cincinnati -- could make good arguments to remain there while the rest of Indiana moved to Central time. But he said his bill could accommodate regional preferences as it winds through the legislative process. "Everything's up for discussion," he said. Yet Heinold has not discussed his bill with Senate President Pro Tempore Robert Garton, whose support he'll need for a favorable committee assignment. Similarly, Heinold said his 49 Senate colleagues probably lack much appetite to debate another time bill after four solid months of daylight-saving time debate this year. Heinold expressed similar uncertainty about Daniels, who could have sought a single time zone when he petitioned federal officials earlier this year. But he said his constituents' interests and desires are paramount, regardless of general legislative sentiment or the governor's. "I'm willing to take on that fight," he said.Staff writer Martin DeAgostino: mdeagostino@sbtinfo.com (317) 634-1707 that Heinold said could divide whole regions and aggravate existing confusion about clock settings around the state. "How much simpler could it be if everyone in the world, everyone in the United States, knew what time that state of Indiana is on?" he asked. He said some counties that are tied to Eastern time -- chiefly those near Louisville, Ky., and Cincinnati -- could make good arguments to remain there while the rest of Indiana moved to Central time. But he said his bill could accommodate regional preferences as it winds through the legislative process. "Everything's up for discussion," he said. Yet Heinold has not discussed his bill with Senate President Pro Tempore Robert Garton, whose support he'll need for a favorable committee assignment. Similarly, Heinold said his 49 Senate colleagues probably lack much appetite to debate another time bill after four solid months of daylight-saving time debate this year. Heinold expressed similar uncertainty about Daniels, who could have sought a single time zone when he petitioned federal officials earlier this year. But he said his constituents' interests and desires are paramount, regardless of general legislative sentiment or the governor's. "I'm willing to take on that fight," he said. Staff writer Martin DeAgostino: mdeagostino@sbtinfo.com (317) 634-1707